Toussaint: I have been interested in representing the United States in the Miss World Pageant for several years. In March of 1997, I flew to Atlanta and started working with Mike Fifrick, my fitness trainer, and I asked him if he knew how I could be involved in the Miss World Pageant, because Mike worked with a former Miss World, Gina Tolleson-Thicke. Mike got the information, and then I called GuyRex. They said that they already had someone to represent the United States for 1996. So I received information about entering the contest for the next year. Through the grace of God and lots of hard work, I won the title. The judges saw my sincerity and ambition. I truly care about children, and I truly care about others. They saw that genuine quality.

PNB: Tell me more about your work with children.

Toussaint: I have been working with Covenant House for about one year. It's a homeless shelter for children. It's wonderful because the children can go to school. Meals are provided. They have an opportunity to build a better life. Many of these children are abused, and they come from very unfortunate circumstances. At Covenant House, they can find a better way. I'm a counselor and it's been very rewarding.

PNB: Any other involvement with children?

Toussaint: I was born in Hartford, Conn. Both of my parents are from Trinidad. My father is a diplomat, and he met my mother here in the States. It was just a coincidence that they were both Trinidadian. He had to go back to Trinidad, and he asked my mother if she would move back. They had already been married and already had me. My mom decided that she wanted to go back to Trinidad because it was warmer and it was a slower pace. We moved back to Trinidad before I became a toddler. I was less than one year old when we moved. We came back to America when I was about 12 or 13. I had a parochial school education until I was 14, when I entered the ninth grade. Then, I attended a public high school in Plainville, Conn. Later, I graduated from Weaver High in Hartford, Conn. I earned a full scholarship to the University of Connecticut. I've earned a degree in Business Management from the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, and I'm currently working on a second degree in journalism English literature at Hunter College.

PNB: What are your career goals?

Toussaint: First, I'd like to get into entertainment reporting. I'd like to have a show like Leeza Gibbons' show who was once an "Entertainment Tonight" reporter. I would also like to work for an entertainment show like "Showbiz Today" on CNN or one of the many shows on E! television. Then, I want to continue to promote my talk show for teenagers.

PNB: Sallie, I'd like to return to the subject of your reign as Miss World USA. Has this experience been a good one?

Toussaint: Yes, it has been a good experience. I'm really glad to be home, though.

PNB: What did you learn about yourself while you were away for a month at the Miss World Pageant?

Toussaint: I learned a lot, but the most important thing that I learned is that when you are away from home, you really start to realize what is important to you. That's your own sense of self. I think that's the most important lesson. You have to be really independent, and I've always been independent, but I think this trip has made me more independent.

PNB: How could the Miss World Pageant be improved?

Toussaint: It was just very, very interesting. Some of the girls in the Top 10 did not belong there. Some of the girls who were not in the Top 10 belonged in the Top 10. I am just very glad that I made the Top 10. It was an exciting experience through.

PNB: Do you have any other comments about your overall experience as a pageant contestant?

Toussaint: Pageants are a wonderful way to promote yourself. I think you should take pageants for what they are and use it as a once in a lifetime privilege and opportunity. 

PNB: Do you have any future pageant plans? Will we see you in the Miss USA system?

Toussaint: Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Right now, I'm trying to get through my final exams.

PNB: Is there any possibility that you might attempt to enter the Miss Universe Pageant as the Trinidad representative?